The Government of Canada Awards Lease Contract for New Employees of the Public Service Pay Centre

MIRAMICHI, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Oct. 11, 2012) - Today, Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, announced the signing of a lease contract for temporary office space to accommodate Public Service Pay Centre employees in Miramichi, New Brunswick. The lease contract was awarded to provincially owned Provincial Holdings Ltd and will cover the period of July 2013 to February 2017.

"Our Government is focused on boosting economic growth and job creation. That's why we are pleased to announce the lease of new office space to accommodate additional Public Service Pay Centre employees. They will join the 146 employees already working in Miramichi," said MP O'Neill-Gordon.

"The top priority of our government is ensuring that our economy remains strong while we continue on our plan to return to balanced budgets. The modernization of the pay administration will provide savings for hard working taxpayers and create jobs in the area" said Minister Ambrose. "Our Government continues to move forward on its commitment to increase the effectiveness of public service operations, stimulate job creation and eliminate unnecessary costs."

"This agreement is a win-win situation for everyone," said the Honourable Robert Trevors, on behalf of the Honourable Paul Robichaud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Economic Development for New Brunswick. "We are not only repurposing the former UPM Kymmene office building, we are also building a stronger economy by providing a safe and secure facility for employees in the Miramichi region."

On August 19, 2010, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Government of Canada is modernizing the 40-year-old pay system and consolidating pay administration services for public servants into a pay centre located in Miramichi. The consolidation of pay services will reach completion in 2015 and will create 550 public service jobs. The presence of the Pay Centre in Miramichi will contribute to creating sustainable employment in the area, and will have a positive impact on the residents, businesses, and regional economy as a whole.

Government of Canadamoves forward with the consolidation ofpay services for the public service in Miramichi, New Brunswick

As part of the Government of Canada's overall initiative to increase the effectiveness of public service operations and eliminate unnecessary costs, Public Works and Government Services Canada is consolidating pay administration services for public servants into a single pay centre to be located in Miramichi, New Brunswick.

The pay services of 56 departments using the Government of Canada Human Resources Management System (PeopleSoft) are being gradually transferred over a four-year period that started in May 2012.

The initiative, which also consists of replacing the government's outdated 40-year-old pay system with more efficient and modern technology, will generate up to $78 million in annual savings starting in 2016-17.

The establishment of the new Public Service Pay Centre in Miramichi will create up to 550 public service jobs starting in 2012, reaching its full staff complement by 2015.

A total of 146 employees were successfully recruited and embarked on a professional training program in March 2012. The employees, temporarily located in the Miramichi Mall, began delivering pay services at the end of May, following the transfer of the first group of pay accounts. An additional 197 Public Service Pay Centre employees will be hired in September 2013, when the second group of pay accounts will be transferred. Recruitment is underway to staff these positions.

A second interim location will accommodate the 197 Pay Centre employees. A lease contract was awarded on August 31, 2012, to provincially owned Provincial Holdings Ltd. and will cover the period of July 2013 to February 2017. The interim building, also located in Miramichi, will be renovated prior to welcoming the new staff.

The presence of the Pay Centre in Miramichi will contribute to creating sustainable employment in the area, and will have a positive impact on the residents, businesses, and regional economy as a whole.

Contact Information

Amber IrwinOffice of the Honourable Rona Ambrose819-997-5421

Media RelationsPublic Works and Government Services Canada819-956-2315